social studies

Do you ever notice the developments taking place in our society or try to understand the interconnectedness of your community and the world you live in, or appreciate the complexities of the human experience? To explore the complex tensions that characterize issues happening around the world and in your community are explained by 'social studies'.

In this lesson, we will explore the following: 

• Meaning of social studies
• Why is social studies important? 
• 10 themes of social studies
• Social studies in everyday life

Meaning of social studies

Social science is, in its broadest sense, the study of society and the manner in which people behave and influence the world around us.

Social studies is the integrated study of different fields to promote civic competence. It draws upon various fields like anthropology, archaeology, economics, geography, history, law, philosophy, political science, psychology, religion, and sociology, as well as some content from the humanities, mathematics, and natural sciences. 

The aim of social studies is to promote civic competence or a practical understanding of how to effectively participate in public life, ultimately aiming at a comprehensive understanding of society. It is taught to young students as a preparation for their future life.

Civic competence enables people to act responsibly in society and to interact with other individuals according to values like transparency, openness, social responsibility, and human dignity. 

The main objective of social studies is to help you develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world. The content of social studies provides important background knowledge to develop values and reasoned opinions. 

The five components of Social Studies are Geography, History, Culture, Politics, and Economics.

• Geography - It is the study of the lands, features, inhabitants, and phenomena of the Earth and planets.
• History - It is the study of events of the past. 
• Culture - It is an umbrella term that encompasses the social behavior and norms found in human societies, as well as the knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, customs, capabilities, and habits of the individuals in these groups. 
• Politics - It is the set of activities that are associated with making decisions in groups, or other forms of power relations between individuals, such as the distribution of resources or status. 
• Economics - It is the study of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.

10 themes of social studies

There are 10 themes cited in the effectiveness of the study of social studies as a subject: 

1. Culture - Learn about different cultures. It includes the principles of multiculturalism that help to achieve greater understanding between culturally diverse groups.
2. Time, continuity, and change - Learn about the past and the history of events that lead to the development of the current world. Build inquiry skills in the study of history. 
3. People, places, and environment - Understand who you are and the environment and places that surround you as well as create spatial views and geographic perspectives of the world beyond one's personal location. 
4. Individual development and identity - Personal identity is shaped by one’s culture, by groups, and by institutional influences.
5. Individual, groups, and institutions - Understand how groups and institutions influence people's everyday lives. Know how groups and institutions are formed, maintained, and changed.
6. Power, authority, and governance - This talks about the forms of power, authority, and governance from historical to contemporary times. You'll become familiar with the purpose of power, and with the limits that power has on society. 
7. Production, distribution, and consumption - Become familiar with the organization of goods and services to understand the economic issues. This helps one to participate in the economy as workers, producers, and consumers. 
8. Science, technology, and society - Understand the relationship between science, technology, and society. Know how these advanced through the years and their impacts. 
9. Global connections - Know the interactive environment of global interdependence and understand the global connections that shape the world. 
10. Civic ideals and practices - Understand the rights and responsibilities of citizens and develop an appreciation for active citizenship to become a full participant in society. 

Importance of social studies in today's world

Social studies help us understand the world we live in, so we can make informed decisions about issues affecting us. It helps us develop historical thinking and literacy as a way of navigating our world. It tells us about the world beyond our immediate experience and can help explain how our own society works - from the causes of unemployment or what helps economic growth, to how and why people vote, or what makes people happy. It provides vital information for governments and policymakers, local authorities, non-governmental organisations, and others.

Today, studying society and the relationships of the people within society is crucial to the understanding of who we are, what we do, and where we are going in the future. Whether we realize it or not, social science is used in virtually every field and discipline, as social scientists study issues that impact our lives on a regular basis. For example, the expertise of social science is used to help understand economic crises by analyzing the choices we make and those that ruling parties make on our behalf. Social scientists also work with school districts to find more effective ways to improve both education and school leadership. The work of social scientists also impacts our health. By analyzing and interpreting medical studies and policies, they are able to make recommendations on health care services. Even technology and social media companies recognize the importance of social science education. Large companies like Facebook, Google, and Microsoft utilize social science experts to research how their companies relate to society.